Santa Barbara Channelkeeper is hosting a series of Refugio Oil Spill-related talks through the end of March 2016. It looks like there will be some great presentations!
From their website:
The Plains All American Pipeline Spill provided a harsh reminder that oil exploration, production, and transport along our coast can have significant impacts on the environment, the economy, and our community. While federal, state, and local agencies, non-profits, and scientists are working to ensure we are better prepared for future spills, it is important for our community to be informed, engaged, and empowered to participate in this process.
Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History are co-hosting a six-part speaker series that will address how Santa Barbara is moving forward after the oil spill. Experts will present on each topic (themes listed below), followed by a brief question and answer period moderated by Karl Hutterer. Each session will take place at Farrand Hall at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History from 6pm-8pm. Admission is free.
For questions about the series, please contact Jenna Driscoll at Santa Barbara Channelkeeper at jennad@sbck.org or 805-563-3377 x 5.
Details of upcoming presentations:
January 13th: Introduction to Oil Operations in Santa Barbara County
- Errin Briggs, Energy Specialist, Santa Barbara County – Current and proposed oil operations in Santa Barbara County and measures the County has taken to increase oversight and safety.
February 10th: Oil Spill Preparedness: Santa Barbara’s Oil Spill Response Plan and new legislation to improve spill prevention and response
- Robert Troy, Deputy Director, Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management – County perspective
- Jennifer Gold, Environmental Scientist, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response – Area Contingency Plans and Sensitive Site Updates for Santa Barbara, Ventura, and the Channel Islands.
- Commander Rom Matthews, US Coast Guard – Coast Guard role in spill prevention and response.
- Das Williams, California Assemblymember, District 37 – Recent legislation to improve spill prevention and response.
- Wendy Motta, Office of Congresswoman Lois Capps – Federal pipeline regulations.
February 17th: Research and Monitoring Impacts from the Refugio Oil Spill
- Mike Connell, Senior Environmental Scientist, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response – OSPR monitoring
- Dr. David Valentine, Earth Science Professor, UC Santa Barbara –TBD
- Linda Krop, Chief Counsel, Environmental Defense Center – The Natural Resource Damage Assessment and how the public can participate.
March 2nd: Do Your Part: Volunteering During an Oil Spill
- Cindy Murphy, Local Government Outreach & Grants Coordinator, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response – How to volunteer during an oil spill.
- Elaine Ibarra, Animal Care Coordinator and Administrative Assistant, Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network – SBWCN volunteer opportunities.
- Yoli McGlinchey, Emergency Services Manager, Santa Barbara Fire Department – The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.
March 16th: Truth about Seeps: Natural and Anthropogenic Sources of Oil in the Santa Barbara Channel
- Dr. Ira Leifer, Marine Science Institute and Chemical Engineering Researcher, UC Santa Barbara – Seeps in the Santa Barbara Channel
- Steve Curran, Drilling Engineer, California State Lands Commission – Seeps from legacy wells and efforts to properly re-abandon them.
March 30th: Moving Beyond Oil: Sustainable Energy and Transportation in Santa Barbara County
- Jefferson Litten, Energy Program Manager, Community Environmental Council – Community Choice Aggregation
- Ed France, Executive Director, Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition – Santa Barbara’s Bicycle Master Plan
- Andy Heller, Summerland Resident, SBCK Board Member – How you can move away from fossil fuels in your life.
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